Leaf Vegetable Packaging Tray

Abstract

A packaging tray holds leaf vegetables with their roots intact during the packaging process. The resultant leaf vegetable in the package includes its roots, allowing for longer shelf life and freshness of the leaf vegetable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to vegetable and fruit packaging trays, and packaging processes and packages therefor.

BACKGROUND

Fruit and vegetables have been packaged in clam shell packages for years. Packaging fruits and vegetables with these clam shell packages is almost always performed manually with skilled workers, as close attention is needed to properly package the fruits and vegetables in the aforementioned clam shell packages, so that material is not caught between the clam shells, and the entire fruit or vegetable is properly set inside of the clam shell package. This accuracy needed simply cannot be achieved by conventional robots or automatic packaging machines. As a result, packaging processes are slow and expensive, due to labor costs. Additionally, the clam shell packages have a tendency to open, for example, due to weak or improperly closed closures, exposing the fruits or vegetables to the ambient environment, causing early spoilage and making the packaged product non-saleable.

Leafy (or leaf) vegetables, such as lettuce heads, are typically packaged with the roots having been cut off of, or otherwise removed from the plant. This root removal limits the freshness time, including shelf-life, for the now-packaged fruit or vegetable.

Additionally, the package for these leafy vegetables is typically a clam shell package. The roots are removed from the leafy vegetable, such that the leafy vegetable easily fits within the claim shell package and, absent the roots packaging times are faster.

SUMMARY

The disclosed subject matter provides a tray for packaging vegetables (and fruits), such as leaf vegetables, and, for example, lettuce heads, with the roots intact (e.g., roots on or otherwise attached to the lettuce head). The tray comprises: a tray body, open along a top side and closed along a bottom side formed by a base, the base disposed along a first plane (e.g., the first plane parallel or substantially parallel to the horizontal), and a plurality of sidewalls at the perimeter of the base, the sidewalls extending from the base to edges, each of the edges forming a portion of a peripheral rim along the top side, the peripheral rim disposed along a second plane which is substantially parallel (or parallel) to the first plane; and, at least one cylinder extending from the base in the tray body to a height below the peripheral rim. The roots of the leaf vegetable, upon loading in the tray, seat in the cylinder during packaging of the tray. Packaging of the loaded tray is, for example, done by heat sealing a cover to the tray, along the peripheral rim, or flow packaging the loaded tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Non-limiting examples of embodiments are described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are listed following this paragraph. Identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with the same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with a disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front side view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a rear side view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with another disclosed embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a transverse side view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal side view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a heat sealing machine used in packaging processes with the disclosed apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a disclosed apparatus as a heat sealed heat sealed package in accordance with the apparatus with the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a disclosed apparatus as a flow-packed package in accordance with the apparatus with the disclosure;

FIG. 16A is a transverse side view of the flow-packed package of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 16B is a longitudinal side view of the flow-packed package of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

When describing the disclosed subject matter, the terms, for example, “upper”, “top”, “lower”, “bottom”, “longitudinal”, “transverse”, “width”, “length”, “upward”, “downward”, “under”, “lateral”, “above”, “below”, and derivatives thereof, are indicative of a relative direction and merely serve as examples. For purposes of explanation and orientation, FIG. 1 includes a double headed arrow LL representing the longitudinal or lengthwise dimension, direction, and/or orientation, while the double headed arrow TT represents the transverse or widthwise dimension, direction, and/or orientation. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, there are two perpendicular axes, a longitudinal axis LLA (extending in the longitudinal dimension and direction) and a transverse axis TTA (extending in the transverse dimension and direction).

The disclosed trays, are, for example, packaging trays, which hold leaf vegetables with their roots intact during the packaging process. The resultant leaf vegetable in the package includes its roots, allowing for longer shelf life and freshness of the leaf vegetable.

The present disclosed subject matter provides a tray which allows for automatic packaging of the fruit or vegetables therein, by a robot, machine, or the like, eliminating the high costs associated with manually packaging fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the tray includes one or more (e.g., two) cylinders, which allow for packaging of the fruits or vegetables therein with its roots on and intact, providing a longer freshness or life for the packaged fruit or vegetables, than would be the case with the roots having been removed or otherwise cut off.

By keeping the roots on the packaged vegetable, such as heads of lettuce, the self-life of the lettuce is extended, for potentially additional weeks, and the food quality is enhanced. Accordingly, the disclosed trays allow for packaging of whole lettuce heads with the roots or part of the roots thereon and intact, with these root intact lettuce heads referred to as “living lettuce”.

The disclosure provides a system which employs trays having a cavity or cavities for roots of leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, so that the heads of lettuce can be packaged with the roots on (attached or intact). The trays are open at their tops or top side, as there are not any lids, covers or the like, attached or affixed to the tray/tray body, for closing partially or fully over the open top side of the tray/tray body. This open structure of the open top side allows loaded trays, with the root-intact leafy vegetables, e.g., lettuce heads with the roots on or otherwise attached, to be put or otherwise fed into automatic and/or robotic packing machines, which, for example, can package the loaded trays by top sealing or flow packaging the loaded trays, forming packages for the leaf vegetables.

FIGS. 1-7 show a tray 100 having an interior 102 with cylinders 104, disposed on opposite sides of the tray 100. The tray 100 includes a base 106, from which the cylinders 104 extend.

Accordingly, the tray 100 is closed at its base 106 and open at its top 107, with the interior 102 therebetween. The tray 100 as shown, for example, is symmetrical about both its longitudinal axis LLA and its transverse axis TTA, as shown in FIG. 2.

Sidewalls, longitudinal 110 and transverse 111, and diagonal 114, connecting the longitudinal 110 and transverse 111 sidewalls, extend from the base 106, e.g., the perimeter 106a of the base 106, to respective edges 110a, 111a, 114a. The sidewalls 110, 111, 114 extend from the base 106 in the same direction as the extension of the cylinders 104. Diagonal sidewalls 114 join the respective longitudinal sidewalls 110 and transverse sidewalls 111. The side wall edges 110a, 111a, 114a, when combined form a peripheral or peripheral rim 115 (collectively, “peripheral rim”). The sidewall edges 110a, 111a, 114a extend to an elevation, such that the peripheral rim 115 is coplanar or substantially coplanar, defining a horizontal plane, which is parallel or substantially parallel, to a horizontal plane formed by the base 106. For example, the plane formed by the base is parallel or substantially parallel to the horizontal.

The sidewalls 110, 111, 114, for example, extend beyond the edges 104a of the cylinders 104. The sidewalls 110, 111, 114, for example, are shown at orientations perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the base 106. Alternately, for example, the sidewalls 110, 111, 114 may extend outward from the base 106 (perimeter of the base 106) at angles greater than 90 degrees.

The base 106 (e.g., bottom side) and sidewalls 110, 111, 114 form a body 116 for the tray 100. The tray 100 and its body 116 are open at the top (top side) 107. As a result of this open structure, the tray 100 is usable in heat sealing (top sealing) machines and/or flow packaging machines, as detailed below.

The cylinders 104 are each formed by an inner wall 120 and an outer wall 121, joined by the edge 104a, resulting in a double walled structure. The inner wall 120 forms a cavity 124. The cavity 124, for example, is polygonal, i.e., octagonal, in cross sectional shape, but may be circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, rounded, or combinations thereof. As shown, the inner wall 120 and the outer wall 121 are the same cross-sectional shape, i.e., octagonal, with the inner wall 120 and the outer wall 121, and arranged, for example, coaxially and/or concentrically, with respect to each other. Alternately, the inner wall 120 and the outer wall 121 may be of different cross-sectional shapes and may be oriented coaxial or non-coaxial to each other, and/or concentric or non-concentric with respect to each other. The cavity 124 (of the respective cylinder 104) is where, for example, roots, or other portions of a leaf vegetable are held (or seated) therein, as detailed below.

The cylinders 104, as shown as octagonal in cross-sectional shape, are such that the inner 120 and outer 121 sidewalls are formed of corresponding panels (panel pairs) 130 (inner)/131 (outer), 132 (inner)/133 (outer), with each panel being one of the eight sides of an octagon. For example, alternate panels (panel pairs) 132/133, may include indentations 136 which form the edges (FIGS. 1 and 2). The indentations 136 are shown as semicircular, but may be rounded, squared, rectangular, triangular, combinations thereof, and the like. Alternately, the indentations 136 need not be present, and when present, may be on one or more of each pair of corresponding panels (panels 130/131, 132/133).

Each of the cylinders 104 is of dimensions, i.e., cavity 124 dimensions, sufficient to receive roots 202a (FIGS. 16A and 16B) and other portions extending from fruits and vegetables, such as leaf vegetables, such as lettuce (lettuce heads) 202 (FIGS. 16A and 16B), spinach, carrots, potatoes and the like. While two cylinders 104 are shown, as few as one cylinder 104 (tray 100′ of FIGS. 8-12) and more than two cylinders are permissible and may be positioned anywhere on the base 106 and/or the sidewalls 110, 111, 114.

The double walls (inner 120 and outer 121), forming the double walled structure for the body of each cylinder 104, as joined by the edges 104a, provide strength and integrity to the cylinder 104, allowing it to receive and hold, for example, leaf vegetables by their roots or other protruding portions. The double wall 120, 121 structure is, for example, forms a substantially rigid structure, which is of sufficient strength, so as not to collapse under the weight of the leafy vegetable, e.g., lettuce head, or during any movement of the lettuce head, during the packaging processes, i.e., heat sealing (top sealing) or flow packaging, as detailed below. The holding by the cylinders 104 is in a manner, where the leaf vegetable will remain in their initially placed position in the interior 102 of the tray 100, and therefore, not move in the tray 100. For example, this allows for ease in packaging, detailed below, where the leaf vegetable remains in place during packaging, so as not to disrupt the packaging process. Coupled with the top 107 being open, a material sheet or wrapper is easily placed around the leafy vegetables in the trays 100, during the packaging process.

While the tray 100 is shown as polygonal shaped in cross section, the sidewalls 114 may be eliminated, such that the tray 100 is square or rectangular. The tray 100 may also be rectangular, square, circular, oval, rounded or triangular, as well as combinations thereof, in cross-sectional shape, including combinations with linear sidewalls.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the tray 100, where the cylinders 104, formed by the respective sidewalls 120, 121 and joining edges 104, form open space 138, indented into the base 106.

The tray 100, for example, is a single piece (single unit or one-piece structure). The tray 100 is made, for example, by injection molding, blow molding and the like, of materials such as polypropylene, or other plastic or polymeric material.

FIGS. 8-12 show an alternate embodiment tray 100′ similar in construction, arrangement, materials and/or manufacturing, to that of the tray 100, detailed above and as shown in FIGS. 1-7, but has a single cylinder 104. Identical and/or similar components, which are identical or similar to those detailed above for the tray 100, have the same or similar element (component) numbers and are in accordance with the descriptions for the corresponding same or similar components of the tray 100′ as detailed above. The tray 100′ shown is, for example, symmetrical about both its longitudinal axis LLA (FIG. 9) and its transverse axis TTA (FIG. 9).

FIG. 13 shows the tray 100 used in an example packaging process, for packaging leaf vegetables, such as lettuce (e.g., lettuce heads), spinach, carrots and the like. The packaging process takes advantage of the tray 100 being open at its top 107 and the roots or other portions of the leaf vegetable remaining on the leaf vegetable. The roots are held in place or retained by the cylinders 104, acting as a holder, which restricts movement of the leaf vegetable in the tray 100 during packaging, i.e., a heat sealing process, performed by a heat sealing system 200 including a heat sealing machine 201 or heat sealer.

The trays 100, with the leaf vegetables 202, with their roots on, and the roots placed in the respective cylinders 104, are on a first conveyer 210 (driven by motorized rollers 211, rotating in the direction of the arrows QQ) are moved through the machine 200, in the direction of the arrow AA. While in the machine 200, packaging material 212, for example, in the form of a sheet, film, wrapper, or wrapper film (collectively referred to as a “sheet”), such as plastic, cellophane or the like is moved on top of the trays 100 along the same path (an in the same direction as arrow AA) as the trays 100, from a motorized feed roller 214 to a motorized take up roller 216 (rotating in the directions of arrows RR), with the assistance of tensioning rollers 217. While in the machine 201, a heat sealer 218, corresponding to an area extending at least to the peripheral rim 115, cuts the packaging material 212, and seals the packaging material 212 with heat at the peripheral rim 115 of the tray 100, forming an air and/or watertight package 230 (the packaging material 212 is now a cover film 232 over the tray 100 for the package 230). The packaging material 212, with open portions 219, corresponding to the covers 232 removed from the packaging material to cover and seal the respective trays 100, is rolled onto the take-up roller 216.

The aforementioned heat sealing system 200 and machine 201 may be, for example, Models TSA 875, TSA 1000, TSA 1200 P, TSA 680 P, TSA 680 and TSA 875, from Ulma Packaging of Gabribai, 28-20560 Onati, Spain. The aforementioned machines are shown in Ulma Traysealers (5 Pages) at https://ulmapackaging.com/en/packaging-machines/traysealing/smart-300, this document incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 14 shows the tray 100 as a package 230, produced by the heat sealing system 200. The tray 100, including the leaf vegetables, such as a lettuce head 202 (with at least the roots 202a of the lettuce head remaining attached, and the roots 202a seated in in the respective cylinders 104), has a cover (cover film) 232 of the packaging material 212, for example, joined, i.e., heat sealed, to the tray 100 along the peripheral rim 115.

The above described covering packaging process can also be performed by the heat sealing system 200 on the tray 100′, in an identical or similar manner, to that described for the tray 100.

FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B show the tray 100 with the leaf vegetables, such as a lettuce head 202 with its roots 202a attached, having at least the roots 202a in the cylinders 104, in a package 240 packaged by a flow packaging machine. Flow packaging machines are, for example, automatic or semi-automatic machines that wrap products, including trays 100 filled with product, e.g., lettuce heads 202, into the package 240.

Flow packaging machines operate by processes including: 1) Product Feeding: The product is fed manually or automatically into the machine (e.g., via a conveyer or other mover), for example, with the leaf vegetables, such as a lettuce head 202 with its roots 202a attached, having at least the roots 202a in each of the cylinders 104 of the tray; 2) Film Unwinding: The film 232, as detailed above, is unwound from a roll of film 232 (packaging material 212 as detailed above) and passed over a forming tube; 3) Forming the Package: The product, i.e., tray 100, is inserted into the tube, and the film is joined, i.e., sealed around it (by sealing longitudinally extending overlapping edges of the film to form a longitudinally extending seal 242 of FIG. 16A), using heat or pressure to create a pouch; 3) Sealing the Edges: The edges of the bag are sealed (transversely, to form transverse seals 244) using heat or pressure; 4) Cutting the Package: The sealed pouch is cut off from the remaining film (e.g., upstream of the lagging transverse sealed edge 244, the other transversely sealed edge 244 being the leading edge, as it is the forward edge as traveling through the machine); and 5) Discharging the Package: The finished package 240 is discharged from the machine.

Flow packaging machines include, for example, Models FR100, FLORIDA, FR 200, FR 305, ATLANTA, ATLANTA HI-TECH, FR 400, FR 500, PV-550, SIENNA, FM 200, FM 300, ARCTIC, FM 500, FS 400, FV 35, FV 45, FV 55, OCEAN, FOV 400, from Ulma Packaging of Gabribai, 28-20560 Onati, Spain. The aforementioned machines are shown in Ulma Flow Pack wrappers (HFFS) (8 Pages) at https://ulmapackaging.com/en/packaging-machines/flow-pack-hffs/fr-100, this document incorporated by reference herein.

The package 240 is formed of the aforementioned packaging material (film) 232 and includes a longitudinal seal 242 and oppositely disposed transverse seals 244. These seals 242, 244 are, for example, heat and/or pressure seals.

The above described flow packaging process can also be performed on the tray 100′, in an identical or similar manner, to that described for the tray 100.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed to a tray for packaging vegetables, such as leaf vegetables, and for example, lettuce heads, with the roots intact (e.g., on or attached to the lettuce head). The tray comprises: a tray body, open along a top side and closed along a bottom side formed by a base, the base disposed along a first plane (e.g., parallel or substantially parallel to the horizontal), and a plurality of sidewalls at the perimeter of the base, the sidewalls extending from the base to edges, each of the edges forming a portion of a peripheral rim along the top side, the peripheral rim disposed along a second plane which is substantially parallel (or parallel) to the first plane; and, at least one cylinder extending from the base in the tray body to a height below the peripheral rim.

Optionally, the tray is such that the at least one cylinder is formed by at least two walls arranged concentrically and/or concentrically with respect to each other.

Optionally, the tray is such that the at least two walls are joined by an edge extending between the walls, such that the at least one cylinder is strengthened against collapse from contents placed into the at least one cylinder of the tray.

Optionally, the tray is such that the at least one cylinder is one of: polygonal, circular, oval, rounded, and/or triangular, in cross-sectional shape.

Optionally, the tray is such that the polygonal cross sectional shape is octagonal.

Optionally, the tray is such that the at least two walls of the at least one cylinder are one of: polygonal, circular, oval, rounded, and/or triangular, in cross-sectional shape, and, for example, the polygonal cross sectional shape is octagonal.

Optionally, the tray is such that the at least one cylinder includes a plurality of cylinders.

Optionally, the tray is such that the at plurality of cylinders includes two cylinders.

Optionally, the tray is such that the at least one cylinder includes one cylinder.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed to a method of packaging leaf vegetables, for example, lettuce heads with the roots intact (roots on the head of lettuce). The method comprises, obtaining, or alternately providing, at least one tray comprising: a tray body, open along a top side and closed along a bottom side formed by a base, the base disposed along a first plane, and a plurality of sidewalls at the perimeter of the base, the sidewalls extending from the base to edges, each of the edges forming a portion of a peripheral (perimeter) rim along the top side, the peripheral rim disposed along a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane; and, at least one cylinder extending from the base in the tray body to a height below the peripheral rim; and wherein the leaf vegetables have been loaded into the at least one tray so as to seat in the at least one cylinder. The loaded tray is then packaged by joining a cover film over the top of the tray to the peripheral rim of the tray.

Optionally, the method is such that the joining is provided by a heat seal between the cover film and the peripheral edge of the tray.

Optionally, the method is such that the leaf vegetable includes roots that seat in the at least one cylinder upon the loading and the packaging.

Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are directed to a method of packaging leaf vegetables, for example, lettuce heads with the roots intact (roots on the head of lettuce). The method comprises: obtaining, or alternately providing, at least one tray comprising: a tray body, open along a top side and closed along a bottom side formed by a base, the base disposed along a first plane, and a plurality of sidewalls at the perimeter of the base, the sidewalls extending from the base to edges, each of the edges forming a portion of a peripheral (perimeter) rim along the top side, the peripheral rim disposed along a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane; and, at least one cylinder extending from the base in the tray body to a height below the peripheral rim; and, wherein the leaf vegetables have been loaded into the at least one tray so as to seat in the at least one cylinder. The loaded tray is then packaged by providing a package enveloping the loaded tray by flow packaging.

Optionally, the method is such that the flow packaging comprises: applying a wrapper film to form a tube around the at least one loaded tray, the tube such that wrapper film includes overlapping longitudinal edges and overlapping sides; joining the longitudinally overlapping edges to form a longitudinally extending seal; and, joining the overlapping sides to form transversely extending seals on opposite sides of the at least one loaded tray; and, wherein the sealed tube enveloping the at least one loaded tray forms a package for the at least one loaded tray.

Optionally, the method is such that it additionally comprises separating the package from wrapper film upstream from the sealed package.

Optionally, the method is such that the longitudinally extending seal and the transversely extending seals include heat seals.

Optionally, the method is such that the leaf vegetable includes roots that seat in the at least one cylinder upon the loading and the packaging.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A tray comprising: a tray body, open along a top side and closed along a bottom side formed by a base, the base disposed along a first plane, and a plurality of sidewalls at the perimeter of the base, the sidewalls extending from the base to edges, each of the edges forming a portion of a peripheral rim along the top side, the peripheral rim disposed along a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane; and,at least one cylinder extending from the base in the tray body to a height below the peripheral rim.

2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the at least one cylinder is formed by at least two walls arranged concentrically and/or concentrically with respect to each other.

3. The tray of claim 2, wherein the at least two walls are joined by an edge extending between the walls, such that the at least one cylinder is strengthened against collapse from contents placed into the at least one cylinder of the tray.

4. The tray of claim 1, wherein the at least one cylinder is one of: polygonal, circular, oval, rounded, and/or triangular, in cross-sectional shape.

5. The tray of claim 4, wherein the polygonal cross sectional shape is octagonal.

6. The tray of claim 3, wherein the at least two walls of the at least one cylinder are one of: polygonal, circular, oval, rounded, and/or triangular, in cross-sectional shape.

7. The tray of claim 6, wherein the polygonal cross sectional shape is octagonal.

8. The tray of claim 6, wherein the at least one cylinder includes a plurality of cylinders.

9. The tray of claim 8, wherein the plurality of cylinders includes two cylinders.

10. The tray of claim 6, wherein the at least one cylinder includes one cylinder.

11. A method of packaging leaf vegetables comprising: obtaining at least one tray comprising: a tray body, open along a top side and closed along a bottom side formed by a base, the base disposed along a first plane, and a plurality of sidewalls at the perimeter of the base, the sidewalls extending from the base to edges, each of the edges forming a portion of a peripheral rim along the top side, the peripheral rim disposed along a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane; and,at least one cylinder extending from the base in the tray body to a height below the peripheral rim;wherein leaf vegetables have been loaded into the at least one tray so as to seat in the at least one cylinder; andpackaging the loaded tray by joining a cover film over the top of the tray to the peripheral rim of the tray.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the joining is provided by a heat seal between the cover film and the peripheral edge of the tray.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the leaf vegetable includes roots that seat in the at least one cylinder upon the loading and the packaging.

14. A method of packaging leaf vegetables comprising: obtaining at least one tray comprising: a tray body, open along a top side and closed along a bottom side formed by a base, the base disposed along a first plane, and a plurality of sidewalls at the perimeter of the base, the sidewalls extending from the base to edges, each of the edges forming a portion of a peripheral rim along the top side, the peripheral rim disposed along a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane; and,at least one cylinder extending from the base in the tray body to a height below the peripheral rim;wherein leaf vegetables have been loaded into the at least one tray so as to seat in the at least one cylinder; andpackaging the loaded tray by providing a package enveloping the loaded tray by flow packaging.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the flow packaging comprises: applying a wrapper film to form a tube around the at least one loaded tray, the tube such that wrapper film includes overlapping longitudinal edges and overlapping sides;joining the longitudinally overlapping edges to form a longitudinally extending seal; andjoining the overlapping sides to form transversely extending seals on opposite sides of the at least one loaded tray;wherein the sealed tube enveloping the at least one loaded tray forms a package for the at least one loaded tray.

16. The method of claim 15, additionally comprising: separating the package from wrapper film upstream from the sealed package.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the longitudinally extending seal and the transversely extending seals include heat seals.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the leaf vegetable includes roots that seat in the at least one cylinder upon the loading and the packaging.